Home Ministry Developing Advanced Passenger Screening System To Boost Air Travel Security

SEPANG, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry is in the process of developing the Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS), which will enable passenger screening to be carried out earlier, thereby enhancing air travel security.

Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said trial runs for the system are expected to begin in September or October, involving 10 of the 56 airlines operating in Malaysia.

“The procurement has been completed, a vendor appointed and the system is now under development. For the initial phase, 10 airlines will be involved,” he told reporters.

He was met after launching the ‘Benteng Persada: Di Sempadan Kita Bersatu, Di Persada Kita Bermaruah’ initiative by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 today.

Saifuddin Nasution said the implementation of APSS is being monitored by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which has made several visits to Malaysia to ensure compliance with the schedule.

“Travellers entering the country through the 10 participating airlines will use the system. Passenger details such as names, passport numbers, seat assignments and even meal preferences will be captured.

“The benefit is that compliance can be verified even before a journey begins, which will help reduce ‘Not To Land’ (NTL) cases and make security issues easier to address,” he said.

Also present at the event were Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman and AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.

-- BERNAMA